One of three former College Park High School Cavaliers, along with Michael Aquino and Keenan Cook, to join the Owls in 2010.

Wayne Graham said --"John Simms is a top-notch Division I pitcher. He's done a great job for two years, and there is every reason to expect more of the same."

Rice -- Conference USA Academic Honor Roll; All-Silver Glove Series team for his play in the annual season-long series against crosstown rival Houston; Pitched in 25 games with four starts... Each of his first 21 appearances were all out of the bullpen, then moved to a starter's role beginning in early May for his last four outings of the season... Bullpen appearances were primarily in early or middle relief, while finishing a game only two times and both in non-save situations... Allowed the fewest total hits (47) in C-USA (based on a league minimum of 1.0 IP per team game)... Finished third in the conference, and was second on the team, in opponents' batting average (.210)... Led the team and had the C-USA's fourth-best ERA (2.56)... Averaged 8.4 strikeouts per 9.0 innings and maintained a 2.7-to-1 strikeouts-to-walks ratio... Did not allow an earned run and registered 14 strikeouts in first 10.0 innings of the season over a five-game stretch... Best outing of the season was in relief at No. 2 ranked Texas A&M where he entered the game in the bottom of the first inning with no outs and three runs already in, and proceeded to pitch 6.0 scoreless frames of three-hit relief while striking out eight (the Owls then battled back to win 5-4, scoring the deciding run in the top of the ninth inning after Simms had already left the game)... Moved up to the weekend rotation was the Sunday-starter for each of the final three C-USA weekends... Started on the mound with the C-USA regular season championship on the line in the year's final league game at UCF, and handcuffed the heavy-hitting Knights to just one run in 5.1 innings as the Owls brought home the program's 17th title... Came back to start the opening game of the NCAA Regional, and fired a season-long 7.0 innings while allowing just two hits and striking out seven Panthers... Worked into the sixth inning in all four starts, maintaining a 2.28 ERA... ERA when pitching at home at Reckling Park was an austere 1.50 in 42.0 innings... Played for Falmouth in the Cape Cod League over the summer... 2011: C-USA All-Freshman team; National Pitcher of the Week (April 19); All-Silver Glove Series team for the season-long best-of-five games vs. crosstown rival Houston; Appeared in 23 games overall and worked his way into nine starts, the third-highest total on the squad... First Owl freshman to start on the mound on Opening Day since 2005 (Joe Savery)... Finished fourth on the team in ERA (3.32) and innings (62.1)... Totaled 63 strikeouts in 62.1 innings... Averaged just 2.6 walks per nine innings and maintained a 3.5-to-1 strikeouts-to-walks ratio... Facing elite teams quickly became a routine, with four of his first five appearances were against a talented group of NCAA Regional teams including Stanford, Baylor, Florida International and eventual College World Series participant California... Posted sensational first collegiate victory against No. 5 Texas A&M by pitching a career-long 7.2 innings with a career-best 11 strikeouts, all while scattering just three singles without any runs in a game the Owls went on to win 2-0... The 11 K's tied for the highest single-game strikeout total by an Owl all season (set by Austin Kubitza just four days before at East Carolina)... Threw a steady 7.0 innings against crosstown rival Houston, allowing four hits and a walk while striking out four in a televised contest... Averaged 5.0 innings in nine starts with less-than stellar support... The Owl offense hit 15 points lower (.273) and averaged one-less run per game in his starts, while Owl relievers who entered the game after he left combined for a 4.68 ERA... Struck out seven in 4.0 innings in a road game at Southern Miss... Made nine-straight appearances out of the bullpen after allowing two runs in 5.0 innings in a no-decision against nationally-ranked Cal in a game played at AT&T Park in San Francisco... Sixth on the team in games in relief (14)... Tied for third in games as the Owls' finishing pitcher (6)... Won in relief with 1.2 shutout frames against Tulane... Fired 2.0 scoreless innings on the road at Lamar for first career save.

International -- Played for the United States 18 & Under national team over the summer of 2010... Helped lead Team USA to a 19-2 mark and tournament-best 7-1 record at the Junior World Championships held in Canada... Posted a 4-0 record and 0.96 ERA in four international starts... Registered 37 strikeouts in 28.0 innings and held 98 opposing hitters to a composite .133 batting average.

High School -- A 2010 graduate of College Park High School in The Woodlands, Tex.... Selected in the 39th round of the 2010 major league baseball draft by the Washington Nationals... All-America honoree by Baseball America... Louisville Slugger national prep All-America team... Earned 5A all-state accolades as a senior (first team from the Texas HS Coaches Assoc. and third team by the Texas Sports Writers)... The Houston Chronicle's Pitcher of the Year as a junior in 2009 and a first team all-Greater Houston selection in 2010... Two-time first team Houston-5A by Houston5ABaseball.com... Twice named the most valuable player in District 14-5A... Helped the Cavaliers go 22-10 and win the district championship as a senior by posting an 8-1 record with a 1.07 ERA... Struck out 123 batters in 65.1 innings, but also maintained a .370 batting average as a hitter... As a junior he went 9-2 with a 1.19 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 88 innings... Helped lead the 2009 Cavs to the Region II finals of the state tournament... Career three-year varsity stat totals amassed to a 19-4 record with three saves, a 1.58 ERA and more than 300 strikeouts in 190.1 innings... Coached by Jason Washburn, the 2010 District 14-5A co-coach of the year... Played for the Rangers in the 2009 Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif.... Outstanding student who was named to the 5A Academic All-State team... Member of the National Honor Society.